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From 2006 to 2011:
Rs. 160 b for N, E reconstruction
Ridma DISSANAYAKE
The government has spent Rs.160 billion for reconstruction activities
in the Northern and Eastern Provinces from 2006 to 2011.
According to Ecconomic Development Ministry Additional Secretary
Nihal Somaweera Rs.15 billion has been spent for the uplift of people’s
livelihoods in the Northern Province. The Eastern Province contributes
six percent to the national economy and it is higher than the
contribution made by the North Central and Uva Provinces.
Somaweera said that the Northern Province contributes three percent
to the national economy. He said a number of projects have been
implemented by various ministries in the Northern and Eastern Provinces.
Many short term projects have been completed and mid term projects are
being completed.
The Ministries of Power and Energy, Irrigation and Water Resource
Management, Highways and Transport have also implemented a large number
of development programmes in the Northern and Eastern Provinces. All
short term development projects have been already completed and mid term
projects are on-going under four categories - demining, resettlement,
livelihood development and infrastructure facilities.
Sri Lanka Army has deployed over 2,000 soldiers for demining
activities and they handle 85 percent of the demining programme. Another
six groups have also been involved in the demining programme in the
Northern and Eastern Provinces.
The government has spent US Dollars 800 million for developing 250
kilometers of railway tracks in these provinces and they have spent US
Dollars 65 million for power projects there. According to that the Power
and Energy Ministry has taken measures to connect the Jaffna Peninsula
to the national power grid at the end of the next year. The government
has spent Rs.1064 million for Iranamadu Water Project and Rs.600 million
for Northern Rural Development programme as well.
According to the Economic Development Ministry sources all these
development programmes are to finish at the end of 2013.
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